This is Viewpoints for Sunday, May 1, 2016

Lonzy’s gift of love

Seven years ago, while on the Macon City Council, I got on Twitter and wrote a truly awful tweet about Associate Justice David Souter. It’s a pretty infamous incident now and still comes up. It was a life lesson learned on civility. It also provided an unexpected encounter with Lonzy Edwards.

A few days after the story and the storm, I was in a hotel in New York City. My cellphone rang. Lonzy Edwards was on the other end of the line. He was just calling to introduce himself. He said he wanted me to know that he knew I would learn from what he called my irascibility and that it happens to everyone if not so spectacularly. Then he told me he thought I needed to be humble, but keep my head up and that I needed to remember I was a child of God and he and I were brothers.

I did not know Lonzy Edwards from Adam. He was the only person from anywhere on the planet who took the initiative to call me. He took it upon himself to make that call. We had several other conversations after that about life and politics. He and I may have disagreed on much, but I never once doubted his heart was in the right place. His heart was heavy with my irascibility and I did not even know him. He and I and you, in Lonzy Edwards’ mind, are brothers and sisters. He lived his life that way. God bless him.

Your time will come

After reading Betty Echols’ rant about elderly drivers, I had considered writing a long rebuttal. After I calmed down, I decided against it. First of all, her narrow mind probably couldn’t comprehend it and she would have to get someone of my age (80) to explain it to her. She is probably one of the women I see driving with a cellphone stuck in her left ear and is still trying to figure out what that little lever on the left side of the steering column is for. Also, green at the traffic signal means go. I don’t know how old Echols is, but ... happy aging.

STOP bill

“60 Minutes” reported that members of the House of Representative are encouraged to spend 30 hours per week personally making phone calls to raise campaign money. The goal is $18,000 per day. This, of course, leaves only 10 hours of the typical work week to conduct congressional business. Insane.

There is a bill that has been introduced called the “STOP” bill which would prohibit congressmen from personally making phone calls to raise money. This appears to make sense, and I would like to know if either Reps. Austin Scott or Sanford Bishop will vote for this bipartisan bill. Yes or no?

Curious

Gee, I wonder if the black citizens of Macon would have the same complaints about the polling place if it was years ago and the Post Office was selected.

Poetic tribute to Prince

Back in “1999,” Prince hopped into his “Little Red Corvette,” while wearing his “Raspberry Beret.” He then drove off into the “Purple Rain,” and over the “Graffiti Bridge.” When he finally reached “Paisley Park,” he could hear the “Doves Cry.” He smiled as he looked up at the “Cherry Moon.” That’s when he realized that this was all just a “Sign o’ the Times.” Rest in peace. “I Wish You Heaven.”

Not for Trump?

It’s sounding more like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will be the nominees. Hard to believe they are the best America has to offer. I do not like Trump. Clinton is another matter. Here are a few things to consider regarding Hillary if she currently has your support. She is a pathological liar. You cannot believe anything she says. She has no record of any successes in her political life. She was secretary of state when four Americans were murdered in Benghazi and then lied about the cause of the attack repeatedly. She committed treason against the United States by knowingly using an unsecured computer server proven to have received and transmitted top secret information. Reports said Sensitive Compartmented Information and Extra Sensitive Information information was also compromised.

Don’t get me started with the ‘Clinton Body Count’ posted online nearly 20 years ago. Even if I was a super left-wing liberal, my character and integrity would not let me vote for someone like her. If you can look past all of the Clinton’s issues, there is something seriously wrong with you.

This story was originally published April 30, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, May 1, 2016."